Wheelchair user? Need drug or alcohol rehab? There are questions that you will need to be asking when finding the right substance abuse treatment center. Although all are mandated for government compliance for those with disabilities, some treatment centers may not be as wheelchair friendly as others. There may be differences between them, so doing your homework is valuable for finding the right facility as well as treatment plan.
When calling a facility, there are certain questions that you can ask them. With some knowledge, you can spot red flags that will tell you that the substance abuse treatment center may not fit your needs. Some steps that you can do before calling them include:
- Talking to friends who might have visited a center
- Checking reviews on Google maps or on Yelp
- Ask in a forum with people who have the same disability
Your specific needs may require a particular type of facility that makes it easy for wheelchair users, not one that necessarily includes all disabilities in their treatment plans.
What Questions Can Wheelchair Users Ask?
The questions that you ask the treatment facility should be specific to your needs and wheelchair accessibility. You might ask them the following questions:
- Do you have ramps?
- What is the height of the ramp?
- Are there railings in the bathrooms
- Are sinks no higher than 34 inches?
- Do they have elevators if needed?
- Are meeting rooms wheelchair accessible and can meetings accommodate someone in a wheelchair inclusively?
- Is there disabled parking space near the entrance?
If your call is not returned after leaving a message, that is a red flag, and the facility should be crossed off your list. The treatment program might be high in physical therapy rather than mental health; this might be a red flag if you have mental health as well as substance abuse issues. If the treatment center says they have “comparable facilities,” that may also be a red flag; you should turn away from them. Find a center that is compliant and meets your wheelchair requirements as well as addiction treatment needs.
You can find out if the facility is wheelchair-friendly by asking some questions. Consider the following as well, as different types of programs may affect how much accessibility you will need. Will you be seeking treatment as one of the following?:
- Inpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient
- Outpatient
The type of treatment and how much time you will spend at the facility should be a consideration when seeking one that is wheelchair-friendly. If you will just be an outpatient, is the facility where you check in to get treatment or therapy, one that meets your needs? It might be more of an office setting, and if this is the case, is it wheelchair accessible? Will group therapy be done there, and can you participate comfortably in the meeting room? These are questions you can ask. Even as an outpatient, you will also need parking close to the facility as well as a bathroom that are accessible for your wheelchair. Recovery is challenging in itself and does not need to be made more difficult through problems of accessibility. That is why doing your homework first is smart.
Getting the help you need is your first priority. You can find out what the legal requirements are within the state and whether the treatment facility is aware of that. Some private rehab centers may not be as compliant as others, so it is important that you check before you enter their program. Residents of Ohio as well as those from other states have come to our treatment center for highly-effective addiction treatment services.
Don’t let the fear of accessibility prevent you from getting the help you need for substance abuse. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and concerns. If you or a loved one are over 18 years of age, give us a call at (440) 253-9915 today. Find out how we can help with wheelchair-friendly substance abuse treatment. You will begin your trip on a smoother road to recovery.
